I compared Google Maps and Waze on the same trip, and the differences went far beyond navigation

Published Nov 14, 2026, 8:30 AM EST Anurag is an experienced journalist and author who’s been covering tech for the past 5 years, with a focus on Windows, Android, and Apple. He’s written for sites like Android Police, Neowin, Dexerto, and MakeTechEasier. Anurag’s always pumped about tech and loves getting his hands on the latest gadgets. When he's not procrastinating, you’ll probably find him catching the newest movies in theaters or scrolling through Twitter from his bed. Google Maps and Waze are two of the most popular navigation apps, and since they're both owned by Google, you'd expect them to work pretty similarly. However, Waze has always had a reputation for being better at avoiding traffic and warning drivers about what's happening on the road. I wanted to see how much of a difference that actually makes, so I started using both apps on the same journeys and comparing their suggested routes, arrival times, and navigation instructions. I noticed that Waze was often more willing to take shortcuts along smaller roads, even when Google Maps suggested a more straightforward route. But the differences didn't stop there. From the frequency of road alerts to finding destinations and planning stops, using both apps made me realize how differently they approach the same task. The fastest route wasn't always the one I wanted to drive Waze was more aggressive with its shortcuts I tested both apps across quite a few journeys, including two trips of roughly 50 miles each, my regular commute between home and work, grocery runs, and a longer drive of around 250 miles. Google Maps generally preferred keeping me on major roads, whereas Waze was much quicker to suggest alternative routes through smaller streets. On one of my 50-mile trips, Google Maps estimated about 1 hour and 40 minutes, while Waze suggested a route that would take about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Seven minutes isn't an insignificant difference, but Waze's route involved more turns and cutting through narrower roads. I noticed something similar during my regular commute. Waze would sometimes suggest a detour to save three or four minutes, even if that meant leaving a relatively straightforward main road and navigating through residential streets. Interestingly, the difference became less significant on longer journeys. During my roughly 250-mile drive, the estimated arrival times were only about 10 to 15 minutes apart. That's a pretty small difference for a journey lasting several hours. On shorter grocery runs, the apps often recommended nearly identical routes, with barely a minute or two separating their estimates. I wouldn't say either app consistently picked the better route. Waze was more willing to experiment with shortcuts to save a few minutes, which was useful when I was running late. However, Google Maps generally offered routes that were easier to follow, with fewer unnecessary turns. After using both for several journeys, I realized that the shortest ETA wasn't always worth chasing. Waze had a lot more to say during the journey Road alerts changed the driving experience Another difference I noticed was how much more information Waze provided during the drive. Google Maps does a decent job of warning you about traffic, accidents, and road closures, but Waze takes things further. During my regular commute, I would frequently get alerts about potholes, vehicles stopped on the roadside, police presence, and speed cameras. Some of these warnings appeared well before I could see the hazard, giving me enough time to slow down or prepare for what was ahead. Google Maps also displayed some of the same incidents, including reports from Waze users. However, Waze was generally more proactive about bringing them to my attention. It also has a more extensive set of customizable alerts, so you can decide which warnings you want to hear. I found the speed limit warnings particularly useful, especially when driving through unfamiliar areas. The difference was noticeable on Android Auto as well. Waze's interface displayed more road reports and alerts, whereas Google Maps generally kept things cleaner. I preferred Waze when driving through unfamiliar roads or heavy traffic, but for everyday journeys where I already knew the route, Google Maps offered a less distracting experience. Google Maps was more useful before and after driving Finding places matters as much as reaching them As much as I liked Waze's navigation features, Google Maps was still the app I preferred when I needed to find somewhere to go. During my grocery runs, for example, I could search for nearby stores, compare their ratings, check opening hours, and look at photos before deciding where to go. Waze also lets you search for businesses, restaurants, gas stations, and parking, but Google Maps provides considerably more information about these places. It's much more useful when you haven't already decided on a destination. I also found Google Maps more convenient when planning journeys with multiple stops. It lets you add up to nine stops, including your final destination, and rearrange their order before setting off. Waze only supports one additional stop per route. That's enough if you're stopping for fuel or grabbing something to eat, but it becomes limiting when you have several errands to run. Another advantage Google Maps has is offline navigation. You can download maps of an area before leaving and keep getting driving directions without an internet connection, as long as your entire route is covered. You lose live traffic updates and alternative routes, but it's still useful for longer journeys where mobile connectivity might be unreliable. Waze doesn't offer comparable offline map downloads. That said, Waze does have a useful trip-planning feature. You can schedule a drive for a particular arrival time, and it'll remind you when to leave based on live traffic conditions. Both apps have their strengths, but I found myself returning to Google Maps whenever I needed something beyond straightforward driving directions.